BJP to launch jail bharo agitation

The BJP is launching a jail bharo agitation this week demanding accountability from Central government.

Party spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman told a ‘Meet the Media’ programme here that constitutional and statutory bodies had brought up corruption charges against Ministers of the UPA government. However, the government was evading a response. It had even adjourned Parliament sine die to prevent debate. This was unacceptable.

The government had also not acted on recommendations of the committees formed to look into solutions for price rise and improvement of the public distribution system. During its Bharat Nirman campaign, the UPA was taking credit for the achievements of the previous UPA government rather than the present one as the present government had nothing to its credit. Though it took credit for bringing legislation on right to information, the Prime Minister’s Office itself was denying information to applicants.

State president V. Muraleedharan, who was also present, said that the jail bharo agitation would begin in Kerala with picketing in Thiruvananthapuram on May 27 under the leadership of all India general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Leaders such as O. Rajagopal, P. K. Krishnadas and C. K. Padmanabhan would lead the agitation in other districts in the following days.

Replying to questions, Ms. Seetharaman said that the visit of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Varkala Mutt was not linked to any political activity. Asked about the NSS and the SNDP joining hands, she said that any attempt for unity was welcome. Its implications for BJP could not be commented on now.

She said that the BJP was for independence of the Central Bureau of Investigation with a mechanism for accountability to Parliament. Suggestions made by it included separation of investigation and prosecution wings and a collegium for appointment of director.

She denied any division within the BJP either at the national or State level.